Opinions on chest packs??

Full Throttle · 02-18-2010, 10:02 PM

Hey there. I've been using a William Joseph lumbar/waist pack and pretty happy with it overall.

I'm now looking for a backpack, and came across the Fishpond Shooting Star combo backpack/chest pack. The chestpack is the only available option.

Anyone use the chest pack style?? Opinions?? Likes/dislikes??

Thanks, any feedback is appreciated.

DirectDrive · 02-18-2010, 11:05 PM

I like 'em for summer fishing.....beats a vest when you're on the move.
My vest has evolved into a stationary organizer that stays in the rig or boat most of the time.

C-lice · 02-19-2010, 05:42 AM

I have a very 'minimalist' one that I like. It is nice to not have a vest/fanny pack to worry about soaking. Then again, I only pack one box of flies, a spool of tippet, a camera and a few small toolls with me when I flyfish, so it's all I need and then some.

IMHO, most of the ones I see at flyshops and on websites are waaaay bigger, bulkier, and more elaborate than I need. To me the purpose of the chest pack is to downsize from a fanny pack or vest. So I don't need a chest pack to also have a water bladder, backpack component, and 2000 cubic inches of storage.

And they seem insanely expensive.

Jaydub · 02-19-2010, 07:46 AM

I tried one. It had some advantages but just didn't work for me. Personal preference.

Full Throttle · 02-19-2010, 10:18 AM

I hear ya on the insanely expensive part. I also like the idea of not soaking my stuff, and am considering just getting a chestpack for $60-$70 to try out. I guess I could always get a cheap backpack for those longer hikes where I want to carry a few extra items.

Thanks for the feedback.

River Borne · 02-20-2010, 10:19 AM

I use a chest pack, the windwalker from Fish Pond. Didn't like it right on my chest though, so I did away with the neck strap and sling it around my shoulder like a man purse! High enough to keep out of the water, I can push around to my back when I need it totally out of the way. Works well for me.

Oregonism · 02-20-2010, 05:17 PM

I like the idea of the little "workbench" that some of them have. It seems like it makes it easier to tie on quickly. I'll probably pick one up for the summer.

Wingdam · 02-20-2010, 09:27 PM

I have been using a small chest pack from Orvis for several years now for my stream trout fishing. Where I fish I know what hatches I need to cover so I only carry those patterns when fishing. I have a couple large stock boxes along with all the other accessories needed in a large Simms boat bag that I draw from during the season. The backpack style usually have too large of a chest pack on them for my liking.

USCGauxHinkle · 02-21-2010, 12:11 AM

i decided forget the chest pack and the vest. i'm buying the backpack from cabelas with the storm proof thingy for electronics. i'll be happy that i can keep my camera with me at all times! and this way, everything is conveniently on my back at all times.

sothereiwas · 02-21-2010, 06:17 PM

I bought a William Joseph chest pack a few years ago that I thought I would use for steelhead since I dont carry much. Wrong, got in the way of spey casting and ended up going with a waist pack.

Its to small for trout applications unless you like getting skunked cause you dont have the right pattern.

The last option was to use it for flats fishing, seams feasible, most of your stuff stays in the boat when walking the flats, you just need a few things to get you by. Wrong, it would catch line while shooting and or stripping and cost me a permit.

So if you still want one, I know a guy that has one that never will be used again.

MikeT · 02-21-2010, 07:36 PM

I use the San Juan from Fishpond. It's about as minimalist as they get.
I pulled the foam fly holder from the zippered pocket and put a small fly box in there. The main compartment has just enough room for my camera or a large fly box, license, Sharpie. A couple tippet spools go in the mesh pocket; bottle of fly floatant attaches to an external loop, and hemostat clips to an external tab.
It gets in the way of spey casting if used as a chest pack, so like Mountain Borne I wear it on my side like a "man purse".
I like it a lot, especially for steelhead fishing or on those trout streams where a huge selection of flies isn't needed.

goforchrome · 02-22-2010, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mountain Borne

I use a chest pack, the windwalker from Fish Pond. Didn't like it right on my chest though, so I did away with the neck strap and sling it around my shoulder like a man purse! High enough to keep out of the water, I can push around to my back when I need it totally out of the way. Works well for me.

Exactly my experience.
Nice, small package.
I just didn't like the bulk being right in front.
More visual than function.
I may strap it back on the chest someday.
$.02

Long Rod · 02-23-2010, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C-lice

I have a very 'minimalist' one that I like. It is nice to not have a vest/fanny pack to worry about soaking. Then again, I only pack one box of flies, a spool of tippet, a camera and a few small toolls with me when I flyfish, so it's all I need and then some.

IMHO, most of the ones I see at flyshops and on websites are waaaay bigger, bulkier, and more elaborate than I need. To me the purpose of the chest pack is to downsize from a fanny pack or vest. So I don't need a chest pack to also have a water bladder, backpack component, and 2000 cubic inches of storage.

And they seem insanely expensive.

I'm with C-lice, I have found that everything I need can fit in my pocket. Even a camera. I carry a small box of fly's and a couple spools of tippet, maybe a few misc. items. All of that other stuff in our big bags can wait in the boat or in the back of the truck. I have tried several of the bags back in the day and never cared for any of them. They seem to be the opposite of convienyent.

Slow and Low · 02-23-2010, 05:26 PM

I think they are like a vest...in the way. It's pretty easy to stuff a box inside my waders (belt required). The tippet holders and the pockets on most waders takes care of the rest.

I like the filson fanny pack (super minimal) when wet wading...use it around the waste or stretch it for the man purse look Vail was talking about.

Cheaper too.

SS

Art Vandeley · 02-23-2010, 05:35 PM

Yup, I tried one of those fishpond chest packs and it was not for me. I just didn't like the bulk of it sitting right on my chest. I slung it over my shoulder and that is okay. I think the best way to go, is tightening your wading belt, throwing a couple fly boxes in your waders, then getting a lanyard that has your tippet, pliers, clippers, and mine also has a small fly patch. Then I throw indicators or camera etc. in my wader pocket or in a coat pocket. I love this method and it really doesn't bother me while casting and I feel very mobile.

Mitch